Transcript

00:00:02

>> After a three month dig into South Korea's sweeping corruption scandal, a special team of prosecutors has outlined its findings. Investigators taking aim at the political and business elite once again on Monday, beginning with President Park Geun-hye. Special prosecutors say Park colluded with her friend Choi Soon-sil to take bribes from Samsung.

00:00:22

A move designed to facilitate a merger that would cement group chief Jay Y Lee's grip on the company. As Reuters' Clarence Fernandez explains, it all means an uphill battle for Park's defense in court.>> Park's situation looks bleaker. The Constitutional Court will decide on Park's impeachment later this month.

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Today's report paves the way for more investigations, if the court decides on impeachment. It could fuel calls for President Park to answer more questions about the case.>> If Park is removed from office by the court, a new group of state prosecutors will kickoff a fresh investigation based on Monday's charges.

00:00:57

>> The investigation has acquired fresh momentum after today's news. It sets the stage for a wider ranging inquiry and could increase pressure on President Park and her government.>> Park, Choi and Lee all deny wrong doing. The president's lawyer on Monday calling the bribery accusation, quote, an absurd fiction.

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Park was impeached in December after accusations that she and Choi, pressured several big businesses to donate foundations setup to back the president's policies. Lee is accused of pledging over $37 million in bribes. The Samsung boss has been detained since his arrest last month and could face up to 20 years in prison, if he is convicted of charges including bribery, embezzlement and perjury.